winch help

mb128 · #1 11-25-2009, 11:23 PM

so im thinking of also puting a winch on my truck (front). the only bad part is i cant find a brush guard or a bumper or push bar that will fit my truck is there a way i can just put it inside my bumper or is that a bad idea? thanks for all the help

surfer03133 · #2 11-26-2009, 12:13 AM

you can put it inside the bumper if you reroute some lines and can make a solid mount. if your bumper doesnt have a hole in the valence you'll probably need to cut the valence and the fairlead would need to be mounted pretty strong as to not rip apart your bumper while you pull from angles

Fx4wannabe01 · #3 11-26-2009, 12:15 AM

a: fab a front hitch and use a transformer style winch cradle.

b: fab a front bumper w/ winch plate or just a winch plate. I don't recall there being anything bolt-on for these trucks in regards to a winch mount.

mb128 · #4 11-26-2009, 12:17 AM

wat if i got like one of thoughs things that have the rollers on the sides and top and bottom? im new to the 4x4 world when it comes to winches and things

surfer03133 · #5 11-26-2009, 12:21 AM

that is the fairlead. probably is best to do what shane is saying, hitch if you dont want that extra weight while driving day to day, or build a bumper that the winch will be mounted on permanently, check out RPS, theres a guy in there that has his stock bumper on and a winch tucked behind it. it helps to have a BL also, there will be more room for the winch

mb128 · #6 11-26-2009, 12:31 AM

im looking for the guy u were talking about

surfer03133 · #7 11-26-2009, 01:08 AM

lol sorry, it was on TRS:

usmcwpntech · #8 11-26-2009, 04:33 PM

mb128,

A winch is a great tool, if you need it. But from what I've seen most people just buy them because they look cool.

If you're considering buying a winch, I'd say go with a Warn. Milemarkers are cheaper, but they're made in China and not as good as a Warn.

I would recommend changing the cable from steel to synthatic. The steel splinters and if you've ever gotten a steal splinter it isn't nice. Of course a mandatory piece of gear is leather gloves when you're dealing with a winch. The advantage of the synthatic that in the even the line breaks there's a lot less energy stored so you're not going to get killed or decapatated like you would with a steel line. Plus they're cheaper, lighter and you can winch at various angles without the fears of kinking the line. Plus they are a lot easier to spool then steel, again, meaning no kinks like with steel, ergo, kinks = weak points or potential failure spots.

Then you need a tree saver to, a couple of shackles and maybe a snatch block, and a heavy coat or something cloth to hang over the line while you're winching so in the even the line breaks it absorbes a lot of the energy. Just something to consider, winching is a lot more involved then just hooking up the line to the other vehicle. I found a used Warn winch on a Jeep forum and got it for a few hundred bucks, which was a steal considering it was in awesome condition.

Fx4wannabe01 · #9 11-26-2009, 07:17 PM

WARN!!! Support a local Clackamas, Oregon company that's in financial trouble and laying off most of their employees!!!

I've never really needed a winch, though sometimes I wish I had one. I sure could use one....never hurts to be prepared if you've put yourself in some hardcore situations before, like I have. Or seeing your friends in the same situation...you can help out. They're a great tool indeed.

surfer03133 · #10 11-26-2009, 07:26 PM

definatley switch the cable to synthetic, synthetic also floats, so you wont be diving to the bottom of a mud hole trying to feel for the winch line.
winchs make the job at hand a lot easier to do, as long as you know how to do it right. also, for a lot cheaper, a hi lift jack can be used as winch, great way to get in shape, just make sure your doing right, those things hurt

usmcwpntech · #11 11-26-2009, 07:27 PM

I used mine at least 2 - 3 times everytime I wheeled in Hawaii. It was a great tool, in So Cal and Baja I only had to use my winch 2 times, the rest of the time a tow strap and a tug was all that was required.

usmcwpntech · #12 11-26-2009, 07:29 PM

Ugh, the highlift, another piece of often poser equipment. Don't know how many Jeeps I've seen with highlifts attached that have never been used, same goes with the winch, the cable had never even been unspulled, wankers. Those things are straight up dangerous. I wouldn't recommend winching with one, you're right in the line of fire if something breaks.

surfer03133 · #13 11-26-2009, 07:30 PM

and i bought a mile marker because their headquaters is 20 miles from my house, so if i have problems i know where to go,
ya the hi lift is dangerous, but its saved me some time on more than one occasions

Fx4wannabe01 · #14 11-26-2009, 07:30 PM

I see hilifts on rangers with stock bumpers on the web....I wonder where in the hell are they going to jack the truck up at!?!?!???

Fwiw, those 9.5ti's are FAAAAAAAAST!!! Scary fast...you better think way ahead when tightening up the cable or reeling the cable in. One bump of the switch = 12". On any other winch, one bump = 3".

usmcwpntech · #15 11-26-2009, 07:33 PM

Surfer, being active duty military, the logic of "we supply the military" or "the supply the military so they must be good" doesn't mean a lot, trust me! Military equipment is made by the lowest bidder, doesn't mean it's the best quality. And often purchases are politically motivated, meaning some congressman greased some skids to get the factory/manufacturer in his area some contract so he could buy votes.

I've heard good and bad about mile marker, but I've never seen anyone bitch about a Warn failing them. So for my $, it's a Warn.